Mark Canha is pursuing a return to the majors after requesting his release from the Texas Rangers.
Veteran first baseman/outfielder Mark Canha is once again on the open market after asking the Texas Rangers to grant his release from a minor-league contract.
Canha, 37, originally joined Texas on a minor-league deal in February and impressed during Spring Training, posting a .286 average with a .500 slugging percentage. Despite that productive showing, he was ultimately left off the Opening Day roster.
The final roster decision came down to a competition between Canha and fellow veteran Andrew McCutchen, with the Rangers opting for McCutchen’s bat in the end.
Although Canha had the option to opt out at the end of camp, both sides agreed on a short-term arrangement that allowed him to remain with the organization without immediately entering free agency.
Instead of reporting to a minor-league affiliate, Canha stayed in extended Spring Training in Arizona, where he could maintain his readiness while remaining close to his offseason home.
That agreement provided the Rangers with experienced depth in case of injury, but the need never materialized. Outside of Cody Freeman, who has been sidelined with a back injury since spring, the club’s position-player group has remained largely healthy through the first few weeks of the season.
Without a clear path back to the major leagues, Canha’s situation became increasingly stagnant.
Meanwhile, McCutchen has struggled in limited action early in the year, primarily serving in a designated hitter platoon role alongside Joc Pederson. His early results have been inconsistent, raising some questions about whether the Rangers could have turned to Canha as an alternative right-handed bat.
Complicating matters further, Canha has not appeared in official games in recent weeks, making it difficult for teams to gauge his current form. While his track record and spring performance could generate interest, it’s more likely that any immediate offers come at the minor-league level rather than a guaranteed big-league role.
Now seeking a clearer path back to the majors, Canha’s next move will depend on both opportunity and willingness — particularly if it requires a return to the grind of minor-league travel.
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